Just 9% of companies say the Scottish Government understands the business landscape in the country.
The Fraser of Allander Institute spoke to 400 firms to gauge the sector's confidence in policymakers.
The Press & Journal says First Minister Humza Yousaf has sought to be more business friendly since taking office earlier this year, including offering a "new deal for business".
But the survey found that just 9% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the Scottish Government understood Scotland's business landscape, compared with 64% who disagreed or strongly disagreed.
It found that only 8% agreed ministers and officials engage effectively with the business community, while 67% disagreed.
Some 80% of respondents in the hospitality sector disagreed with both statements.
'Pretty diappointing' results
Mairi Spowage, director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, told the P&J: "These results are obviously pretty disappointing for the government, with the vast majority of businesses not feeling that the government understands business or that they engage effectively.
"However, they underline the importance of the Scottish Government resetting their relationship with business. It is therefore more important than ever that the new deal for business leads to changes in approach in the future.
"These indicators can help us track progress over time - and hopefully see improvements in the relationship."
Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray conceded that more was needed to show that the Scottish Government is working alongside the business community.
"This is why the new deal for business group was set up, to reset that relationship with a focus on co-designing policies that will have a positive impact on the day-to-day operations of business.
"The group's first set of recommendations have been accepted by the first Minister and we are in the process of implementation.
Initiatives
"Next week's Programme for Government will include further initiatives to support business as we develop an economy that is fair, green and growing."
Scottish Tory economy spokesman Murdo Fraser said the study was an "abysmal verdict" for the Scottish Government, adding: "It's weeks since Humza Yousaf was promising a 'reset' of his party's relationship with Scottish businesses - itself an admission of their previous failure.
"But he's still refusing to pass on the money received from the UK Government to give firms rates relief they would get elsewhere in the UK. And has reaffirmed his commitment to the Greens, a party explicitly opposed to economic growth.
"So far, there's no indication Humza Yousaf is prepared to listen, or change the policies that have seen stagnant growth and a host of new burdens and regulations on Scottish firms."
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